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At Synod Assembly, we passed a Resolution on Accompanying Immigrants that outlined actions that the Synod and Synod staff would take in support of immigrants and immigrant communities, including efforts to raise funds for these efforts. And as we’ve seen over the last weeks, the targeting of our immigrant neighbors is only increasing. Our faith and our church’s social teaching call us to respond, to stand with and support our neighbors, and to step boldly into this moment.

The Synod’s Immigration Task Force, co-chaired by Pastor Hierald Osorto and Pastor Rhonda Hlavinka, has been working hard and has developed a Welcome Fund to provide direct financial support to immigrant communities in our Synod. With generous contributions from St. Paul’s Home (a sister organization of San Pablo-St. Paul’s), and matching dollars from the Synod’s Resurrection Fund, we are thrilled to get started with $75,000. We know that the support needed in this moment is significant, and you and your congregation are invited to contribute to this fund. You can send checks to the Minneapolis Area Synod and include Welcome Fund in the designation or donate online.

The Welcome Fund will support mutual aid for immigrant and refugee communities, advocacy efforts related to immigration and immigrant rights, and training opportunities for Minneapolis Area Synod members and congregations working with immigrant communities. Congregations and Synod Authorized Worshipping Communities in the Minneapolis Area Synod can request funding for:

  • Mutual aid: addressing basic needs for community members like rent, groceries, child-care, transportation, legal fees, and support for immigrants and those navigating the immigration system.
  • Advocacy efforts related to local immigration policy: hosting town halls with elected leaders, letter writing campaigns, or community meetings.
  • Training and education: legal observer training, know your rights training, education about immigration policy, etc.
Questions about the Welcome Fund can be directed to the Immigration Task Force co-chairs – Pastor Hierald Osorto and Pastor Rhonda Hlavinka, Assistant to the Bishop for Faith and Neighboring, Nicholas Tangen, or the Synod Treasurer Ross Eichelberger.

Ways to Give

  • Give online
  • Send a check to Minneapolis Area Synod with “Welcome Fund” in the memo (122 W. Franklin Ave, #600, Minneapolis, MN 55404)